Flying-machine.



- e. E, THOMPSON.

FLYING MAGHHW.v APPLICATION FILED M-Am24, 1910.

PatentedJuly 16, 1912.

s SHBETS-SHEET 1.

WITNESSES. g

4 TTOR/VEYS G. E. THOMPSON. FLYING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 24, 1910.

' Patented July 16, 1912 3 $HEETS-SHEET 2.

l WITNESSES.- f

650/7125 fi By )4 TTOHIVE V 8 G. E. THOMPSON.

FLYINGMAOHINE. APPLIOATION'PILED MAR. 24, 1910.

- Patented July 16, 1912.

n 3. R m w 8, IIIIIIIIIWE WIIIIIIIH, J m z z E f m s u a w r G 3 ll "VMmUJ w k. m lg w mu I w E 00 M G W 9 u GEORGE E. THOMPSON, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA.

FLYING-MACHINE.

To all whom may concern: Be it known that I, GEORGE E. THOMP- 'soN', a subject of the King of Great Britain,

air or aeroplane type.

An object of this invention is to provide a device which will be simple in construction, light in weight, inexpensive to manufacture, strong, durable, and easily controlled and balanced.

Y Another object of this invention is to providesflying machine adapted to floatonwater, with means for forming a fluid cushion between the "water and the machme,

whereby the machinelnay be raised from the water. I

A further. object of this invention is to provide a flying machine with .a supporting plane, and with means for, rarefylng the air or compressing the air ateither end of said plane, for the purpose of balancing the same. I

A still further object is to provide a flying machine with equilibrium equalizers simultaneously operated with said air rarefying means, to maintain the equilibrium of the flying machine.

These and further objects, together with the construction and combination of parts, will be more fully described hereinafter and particularly set forth in the claims Reference is to be had to the, accompanying drawings forming a part-of this specification, in which similar'charact'ersjof reference indicate corresponding-parts in all the views, and in which-- Figure 1 is a perspectiveview; Fig; 2- is a fragmentary side view-in elevation;' Fig. '3 is a detached perspective yiew showing the air blower, andalso showing'diagram matically the connection with the floats or skees; Fig. i is an inverted plan view; Fig. 5 is a transverse-vertical section through the blower and connected passages Fig. 6 IS a fragmentary sectional View through the clutch on the air-pipe; and Fig. 7 is anienlarged detail view of the steering device.

Referring more particularly to the separate parts of thedevice, 1 indicates a trans verse frame, ma de-1cf" any suitable light Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 16, 1912.

Application filed March 24, 1910. Serial in. 551,259.

structure and material and suitably tied together by tension wires 2. Secured to the frame 1 in any well known manner, there are provided one or more supporting planes 3, preferably two in number, superposed one above the other in parallel relation.

Removably secured to the frame 1 in any I well known manner, so that it can be taken apart for the purpose of transferring or storing, there is provldeda longitudinal frame 4, winch converges toward the rear -to form a suitable pivotal support for a vertical rudder 4"). Secured in this frame in any well known manner there is provided a [bifurcated tail trailing plane (5, the arms of which extend to eitherside of the rudder 5 in a diverging manner, so as to allow room fort-he rudder to swing in.

Extending forwardly of the frame 4, adjacent the top thereof, there is provided a pair of arms 7, to which is removably secured-in any well known manner, a bracket 8, having depending bifurcated .arms 9,t0

which is pivotally secured a horizontal directing plane 10 of any suitable form and material. Secured between the bifurcations of the .arms 9 in any well known manner, there are provided, semi-elliptical springs 11, which rest adjacent their ends on the directing planelO, and normally hold said directing 'plane in steady horizontal positlon. There is provided 1n the lower supportingplane 3, adjacent the front middle thereof, an opening 12, through which the operator controls the machine when seated on the operators seat 13 juxtaposed thereto.

Located in a juxtaposition to the 0perators seat 13,'there is provided a bracket 14. Pivotally secured to the bracket 14:,fso

as to swing in a vertical plane, there is pro- 4 videda member 15, which swivelly supports ashaft 16. The shaft 16.is provided at its upper'end with a steering wheel-17, where by it may be manipulated by the operator.

Secured to the member 15, on opposite sides of its pivotal point with the bracket 14 and at equal distances therefrom, there are provided fastening devices 18 of any suitable character, to which are secured flexible connections 19 and 20, extending to arms 21 -and22 projecting from opposite sides of the directing plane 10. It will thus be seen that by swinging the shaft 16 back and forth, the member 15 will be pivoted so as to manipulate the directing plane 10 for the purpose of raising or lowering the flying machine as a whole. In order that the same shaft 16 may be utilized to steer the flying machine in a horizontal direction; that is, to the right or left, there is provided a pulley 23, secured to the shaft 16 in any well known manner and so located on-the shaft 16 that it is co-extens ive with the pivot point of the member 15, so that any swingmg of the shaft 16 and the member will not affect the pulley 23. Wound around the pulley 23, or secured thereto in any well known manner, there is provided a flexible connection 24, the opposite ends of which extend from opposite sides of the pulley 23 and are securedto the opposite ends of a lever 25 onthe rudder 5; It will thus be seen that by rotating the hand wheel' '17, the rudder 5 can be turned to the right or left and thereby steer the'flying machine in a horizontal direction. It will further be seen that by simultaneously swinging the shaft 16 and rotating the hand wheel'17, the

- capable of being locked rigid in a horizontal flying machine can be steered simultaneously in vertical and horizontal directions, thus causing it to travel in a diagonal line.

In' order to provide sufficient tractive force for the flying machine, there is provided a propeller 26, which issecured to a propeller-shaft 27, rotatably supported in' any well known manner 'on the frame. The propeller shaft 27' is connected in any suit-- ,able manner'to a suitable motor 28,'as by means of a chainand-sprocket connection 29.

While this flying machine may bep'ro- 'vided with suit-able wheels or rollers and be adapted to ascend from, and descend to,

' the ground, it is preferably of a type "adapt- :edto alight on, and rise from, the water,

and for this purpose, is provided with floats orskees30, 31 and 32. .The rear skee 30 is secured in any we'll known manner to the frame '4 adjacent the rudder-5, and supports the rear end of the flying machine when resting on 'the water.

The front floats 31 and 32 .are substantially rectangular in shape their forwardends being upwardly inclined, and the said floats are secured to the frame in such a manner that they are posltion, or unlocked, so that they can be swung relative to each other when thefiy- .ing machine is in the air, so-as to aid in.

balancing the flying machine and maintaining its equilibrium; This means of connect-ion will be described hereinafter. Secured to the frame 1 in any well known manner, beneath the lower plane'3," there is provided a balancing device 33,. of a type which is adapted to supply air'to either end of the under side of the plane 3 and simultaneously withdraw the air from the opposite side, so as to maintain'the equilib- 7 V rium of the flying machine as a whole}; For

this purpose, the equilibrium device "33 is; provided with-a fan or blower 34;="whih is closed and vice versa.

driven "from the motor 28 in any suitable manner.,f .lThe fan 34 is inclosedby a casing '35, having central openings 36 and 37 for supplying the air thereto, and having peripheral openings 38and 39 for exhaustng therefrom the air compressed therein,

It will be noticed by particular reference to 5, that beyond the casing 35, there isprovideda casing'40, which is connected to feeding funnels '41 and 42 extending on opposite sides of the casing 35, by means of passages 43' and 44. The funnels 41 and 42 alsov have communication with the interior of the casing 35 by means ofv the openings 38 and 39.. It will thus be seen that when both the passageways 43 and 44 are opened, the fanj34 will naturally draw the air from both sides through both the funnels 4l and42. In order .to. draw" all of the air from one 'side and from-one of the funnels 41 and 42, and to force it out at the opposite side, so as to create a pressure under one end of the lower supporting plane and a vacuum on the other end, thereby raising the first end and lowering the second end, there are provided valves '46 and 47, which are adapted to extend across the passageways 43 and 44 to cut 'ofl the inflow of air to the center of the fan, These valves are'connected inanywell knownmanner 'to arms 48 and 49, whichare secured to a 1ongitudinally-extending rod 50. This rod 50 is suitably journaled inbearingS onthe frame, and is provided with edal arms 51 and 52 extending in juxtaposition to the opening 12, where the operator can readily rest his feet thereon, and thereby rotate the rod 50 to operate the-valves 46 and 47 'It will benoted that the valves 46 and 47 are -so connected'to the rod 50 thatuthey will be simultaneously operated in opposite directions, so that when the passage 43 is entirely open, the passage, 44 is entirely the passage is closed ,for'the purpose of into al-inement with the opening 39 so as to permit the air compressed by the-blower Similarly the .valve 46,is provided'with an opening 53, which is adapted 'to be brought into alinement with the opening 38, when the. valve 46 entirely closes "theflpassage 43, so that the aircompressedby the fan '34 will transude through the jfunnel 42;; a i The pressure generated, bythe fan 3413s also I utilized to raise the machine from the water.

For this purpose, there is, connected to the periphery iofthe fan, a -pipe 55, having directions to downwardlyfextending egs 58 and '59, a pair of whichjare provided for eachof thel float's 31 "Ed These legs 58 In order that when r 'shuttingofl the inhaust of air throughthe 1 funnel 42, the valve 47 is provided withan. opening 53, which isadaptedto brought 34 to travel out through the .funnel 42.

conduct the air compressed therein to a rectangular recess or cavity 60 formed in the.

bottom of each ofthe floats 31 and 32,, as shown in Fig. 4, The recess 60 is open at the bottom so that the air forms a film between the float and the surface of the water. The flow of compressed air-through the pipe 55 is controlled by.a valve 6llocated adjacent the operators seat.

In order thatthe floats ,31 and 32 may be moved relative to each other, for the pur-. pose of balancing the flying machine when once in the air, the pipes 56 and 57 are not permanently connected together, and they are further rotatably supported in the frame. between the pipes 56 and 57 is shown in Fig. 6. These pipes 56 and 57 are provided on their facing ends with angular projections 62 and 63, forming recesses 64 and'65 in the respective ends of the pipes 56 and 57. Engaging the ends of the pipes 56 and 57, there is provided a sleeve 66,,which has flanges 67 and 68, which are adapted to en gage inthe corresponding recesses 64 and 65 in the endsof the pipes 56 and 57. The

. the pipes 56 and 57 can move relative to.

recess 64 is somewhat deeper than the recess 65, so that when the sleeve 66 is shifted, in the. direction of the pipe 56, the flange 68 will be removed from the recess 65, so that each other. Thesleeve 66 is provided with an external groove 69, which is'adapted to be engaged by a bifurcated lever 70, for the purpose of shifting the sleeve 66 in the manner of a clutch. f

In order to manipulate the floats 31 and 32 relative to each other and in synchnonism with the movement of the valves 46 and 47, there are provided arms 71, 72, 73 and 74, secured to the rod 50 in any well known manner, which are connectedby means of flexible connections 75,- 76, 77 and 78, respectively,

to the front of the float 32, the front of the float81, the rear of the float 31, and the rear of the float 32. These connections are shown in the plan view, Fig. 4, and are also illustrated diagrammatically in the per spective view Fig. 3. These flexible connections 75 to 78 pass over suitable pulleys, so that when the foot pedal 51 is depressed, the arms 71 and 73 will be depressed, and

the arms-72 and 74 elevated, thereby simul-- taneously raising the front end of'jthe float 32 and the rear end of the float. 31. On the other hand, when-the foot pedal 52 is depressed, the front end-of the float 31 will I be elevated, and the rear end of the float 32 elevated. By this means, the floats 31 and 32 act as deflecting planes for elevating or lowering each. side of the flying machine, simultaneously with the action of the valves 46 and 47, which also [tend to control the flow of air in such a manner as The particular type of connection in their normal horizontal position.

toelevate or depress the lateral portions of the flying machine;

The operation of the device will be readily understood when taken in connectionnvith i front edge byqpulling' back on the hand-t wheel 17, and the air in the pipe 55 per-, mitted to flow out with its full force intothe cavities on the under sides of the floats 31 and 32. These floats when the flying, machine rides on the surface of the water, are normally'locked back and held air' may be admitted to the cavities 60 beneath the floats previous to the attempt to rise from the water, in order to form an anti- The friction film on which the flving' machine.

rests, permitting it to travel with great speed over the surfaceof the water after the manner of a hydroplane. NVhen the machine has risen in the air, it can be directed to the right or leftby rotatingthe handwheel 17, thereby swinging the rudder 5 to the right or to the left. The up and down motion of the machine can be regulated by manipulating the hand-wheel 17 forward and backward, so as to simultaneously lower and elevate the front end of the directing plane 10. In fact, the flying machine can be directed both up or down, and to the right or leftsimultaneously, by, the operator manipulating the single lever to which the hand-wheel 17 is attached. When the flying machine is in the air the pipes 56 and 57 are disconnected by shifting the sleeve '66 so that the flange 68 comes out of the recess 65, by manipulating the lever 7.0. This leaves the floats 31 and 32 free to swingat the will of the operator, for the purpose of balancing the machine and maintaining its transverse equilibrium. If, while in the air,

the flyingmachine should dip toward the right, the operator would naturally swing his body toward the left and counterbalance the abnormal cant of the machine. By doing this, he would press down with his foot on the pedal 52, therebye'iosing the inlet passage 43 and opening theinlct passage '6 44, and simultaneously bringing the open-' ing 54 into alinement with the opening 38, and forcingthe opening 53 out of alinement with the, opening 39. This will cause i the air to be drawn entirely from the left side of the machine and projected from the right side of the machine, so that there will be avacuum' formed under the left side of the lower plane, and a compression formed under the right side of the lower plane.

This will tend to correct the downward tilt of the right-hand side of theframe. How-.

ever, the air blower is aided in its work by the floats 31 and 32, which actas deflecting planes. Simultaneously with the Operation just described, the front end of the float 31 will be elevated, and the front end ,of the float 32depressed, so that there will be an additional force, tending to raise the righthand side of the flying machine and lower the left-hand side. Thereis thus provided two coiiperating devices for instantaneously correcting ,any eccentric transverse movement ofthe flying machine. Then it is desired to alight, the floats 31 and. 32 may.

While I have shown one embodiment of my invention, I do not wish to be limited to the specific details thereof but desirehto 'be protected in various changes, modifications and alterations which. I may make within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secuneby Letters.

Patent 1.' In a flying machine, the combination with a supporting'plane, of one or more floats for supporting said planezon water,

, a longitudinally extending rodniountedoto turn and under the control of theoperator, and connections between said rod and the floats for manipulating said floats to control the transverse equilibrium of said plane in the air.

2. In a flying machine, the combination L ously drawingthe air from under one sidewith a supporting plane, of a pair of floats tionson turning said'rod.

pivotally connected to said supporting plane, a longitudinally}extending rod mounted to turn andunder thecontrolof the operator,- arms on said'rod, and connections between said arms and the saidfloats for simultaneously swinging said floats inlopposite direc- 3. In a flying machine, the combination with one or more supportingplanes, ofone or more floats connected to said supporting" pllme and adapted'to support said planes on water, said floats having cavitiesin thein under surfaces,;an means for supplying'air under pressurellto said cavities. 4. In a'fl-y ng machine, the combination with one or more supporting planes, of one or more floats connected to said supporting planes and adapted to support said planes oirwater, said floats having cavities in their under surfaces, and a blower for-supplying ing-plancs, said floats having recesses inf,

I into said recesses.

{in opposite directions, connected to said \maintaining the said their under surfaces, and a plurality of pipes connected to said blower and to each of said recesses, for projecting air under pressure 6. In a flying machine, the combination'yq. with a supporting plane, of 'an air compressor connected to said supporting plane, and means whereby the said air compressor is caused to simultaneously draw the air from under one side ofsaid'supporting plane and project the air underneath the other side of said sup orting plane.

7. In a ying machine, the combination with an aeroplane,'of a blower connected to said aeroplane, a pair of funnels extending 3 in opposite directions, connected to said blower, valves forcontrolling the flow of air through said tunnels, and means, under the control of theoperator for actuating said I Zvalves. 5 8. In a flying machine, thefcombination]; ,with an aeroplane, of a blower con'nectedto said aeroplane, a pair of funnels extending} blower, and means 'for forcingt-he air com ipressedby said blower through-one of said funnels, and simultaneously drawingthe 'air' to be compressed through the other of said i n 1 9. In a flying machine, the' combination 'with'a'n aeroplane ofa compressor connectied to said aeroplane,' a pair of conduits extending in oppositdldirections, connected to said compressor, and means :for making bither oi s'aid conduits the intakefor said compressor, or the outlet for said compressor. 10, In a flying machine, the combination with an aeroplane, of means for simultanejot 'saidaeroplane and prO ecting air uhderneath the other side of'said aeroplane, the

{said means including a' blower, conduits connected to the'blower'and extending in i0 positedirections, valves for vcontrolling t eflo'w of air through said'conduits, and

rections. l l -11. In a flying machine, the combination with an aeroplane, of means for simultaneously drawing the air from under one side got-said aeroplane and projecting air underneath the other side of said aeroplane, for

theequilibrium of. said aero- 120,

plane. 12.

members connected to said aeroplane, a rod mounted to turn and under the control, of the operator, means for projecting a stream of'air toeither side: of. saidaeroplane and controlled by said r'od, arnis'onthe said rod, I and connections between the said arms and ancing I members for simultane-V 13c In a flying machine, thei-eonibination I vwith an aeroplane, of a pair of balancing ously manipulating saidmembers, for con.

.' trolling the transverse equilibrium bf s id aeroplane, I v

.With an aeroplane',-of a pairoflfioats pivot-,- ally conneoted'to saidaeroplan'e, and a clutclt v r for detaehably' connecting. said. floats rigidly together.-- p r a 14; In a fiyingjmachine, the combination Tiowith. anaeropland'fof a pair of floats pivot- M f ally-connected'to s'aidaeroplane, a clutch foriimorewjetslof' airto each ofsaidi floats."

remi r, directing" saidfaeroplane in a vertij' 'e'rators seat and having spaced depending arms, a? member pivotally secured; between i I the arms ofithe'bra'ejket to swingin avertiplane,"the saidm'emberi having bearings. E5-at its' endsl'at' oppositesides of the pivotal {pointfa shaft mounted to turn in said bearings,' fastening devices on the bearingendsof said-member, the fastening .devices being at -equ al distances from the pivotal point,

. arms projecting from opposite sides of the Y horizontal steering-plane, flexible connec- -f tions between thesaid fastening devices and the said arms, a pulley on the said shaft be's tween the fastening devices 'and'in line with the pivotal point of said member a leveron;

the vertical steering plane, and fiexihle con nections'betweenthe said pulley and the op- "posite ends of the said lever. j g 16. In a flying machine,.thei'combinatien 3 0 -witha support, of a horizontally arranged s teeringplanepivoted to said support, semielliptical springs secured to said suppont'and.

resting attheirends on the said steering. plane to normally hold said plane-in a',horizo'ntal position, and means for manipulating".

said plane to either side of said jnormal.po-- sition.

' 17. In a fiyingfmachine, the combination with a transverse frame, a supportingplane carried by said frame, arms extending for- 'wardly of the frame, and a bracket secured to the front ends of saidarms and having; depending bifurcated arms, of a liorizontally arranged steering planepivotally secured to said bifurcated arms, springs se- 55,

13. Ina-flying machine, the' combination v detachably-.eonheotingsaid floats rigidly tos gether, and "means for supplying one or ijth an aeroplane, 10f "a' i'h'orizontalsteering cal direction, a vertical 1 steering plane --for ffidi'recti'ng said aeroplane in 'aa'horizontal di- '20" frection',-a.bracket located adjacent to the opcured between. the bifurcations pf the arms andresting at their ends on the said steering plane 'to holdL-the said plane normally in a horizontal position, arms projecting.

from opposite faces of the said steering plane, and means .eonneeted,:withsaid arms for manipulating said steering plane.

I8. In .a flying machine, the combination with a transverse frame, a ,longitudinalframe j-secured tothe'transverse frame and 654 coi'iverging toward the rear, afu-v'ertieal rudder pivotally supported at the rear converging end of said longitudinal frame, a bifurcated trailing tail piece'securedstothe said longitudinal, frame, the. arms'of said tail '70 .pieceextending to either v side of the rudder in a diverging planner, to allow room for the rudder to swing in, andmeans for manipulating said rudder.

19. In a flylng macliine',"the combination der; and means connected with-said pivoted member for manipulating saidrudder, I 2-20. 'In (a flying maehine, the combination with an aeroplane, of one or {more'floats for support-mg said; aeroplane on water, means for supplying airunder pressure to the'un- 1 Ider side of said floats to form an anti-fric-- 'tion=film,'-and' meansgfor controllingthe s11p "-plyof'airto theunder side. of said floats..

testimony whereof I have slgned my' name to this specification in the presence two subscribing witnesses.

GEORGE E. THOMPSON} Wit-nessesz' THOMAS E. HECKMAN,

' DAVID R. ELPHINSTONE." 

